Foreign military intervention in Africa is controversial when it happens, and occasionally controversial when it doesn’t. It’s a symptom of the fragility of African states, and the power of external interests.

It’s busy times for the vaccine industry – a new vaccine against dengue fever has been deployed in the Philippines, research for a vaccine against Zika virus is gaining steam (although questions remain

ANTANANARIVO 27 June 2014 (IRIN) - As anticipated, the US government has reinstated preferential trade status for Madagascar on its 54th independence day anniversary, providing hope for the country’s embattled economy.